Ambode leads walk against sexual, domestic violence

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Thursday led an all -male walk against sexual and gender based violence in the state, urging security agencies to come up with evidences against at least 11 prominent individuals in the state to be used as scapegoats.

Ambode had earlier received those that participated in the walk at the Lagos House, Ikeja, before leading men brandishing placards such as “LASGIDI Men say no to abuse, violence against women,” “Women are not object, respect and treat them right,” and “Stop rape and abuse,” among others on another procession within the State House.

He said using highly placed individuals perpetrating the act as scapegoats will act as deterrence to others.

Ambode said, “I will like you to join hands with me to say no to rapists, say no to women beaters and wherever they are. We know that the Task Force that we have set up will swing into action once it receives any petition from any member of the society. We are looking for the first 11 scapegoats whether highly or lowly placed in the society. We say no to domestic violence and sexual abuse.

“It is time we take the bull by the horn in tackling this menace of sexual and gender based Violence in our society. Research and countless reports have indicated clearly that women are significantly more prone to being victims of these crimes. There is also an evident trend of suppressing the voice of these victims due to the fact that these acts are perpetrated largely by men.

“We should not take for granted the potential exponential effect of having emotionally and psychologically damaged women in a society as the effect could transcend to their children who grow up in an environment, thinking this is the norm.”